Old Man's Beard: A Serendipitous Discovery for One of Our Next Gins

This week, we found ourselves wandering through the lush fields of central Scotland, deep in conversation with our first collaboration partner. The air was crisp, filled with the promise of botanical wonders waiting to be discovered. We were on a mission, you see - to find unique, local ingredients for our next gin creation.

Something caught our attention as we traversed the verdant landscape, our eyes scanning the diverse flora. Hanging from an old oak tree, swaying gently in the Scottish breeze, was a pale, stringy growth that looked like it belonged in a fairy tale. Our partner, with a glint of excitement in their eyes, identified it: Old Man's Beard, scientifically known as Usnea barbata.

This lichen, Usnea barbata, was a serendipitous find that sent our minds racing with possibilities. As gin enthusiasts and creators, we're always on the lookout for that next extraordinary botanical, and here it was, literally dangling before us.

A Taste of the Unexpected

With permission from the landowner, we carefully collected a small sample of the Usnea barbata. Back at our makeshift tasting area, we explored its potential as a gin botanical. Lucky that a tincture had already been prepared, we knew we had stumbled upon something special when we tasted it.

The flavour profile was unlike anything we'd experienced before in a gin ingredient. It opened with an earthy depth that immediately transported us back to the misty Scottish woodland where we found it. This earthiness gave way to a subtle bitterness that we could already imagine balancing perfectly with the sweeter notes in our gin base - almost liquorice or anise in taste.

But it wasn't just the taste that excited us. There was an unmistakable herbaceous quality, reminiscent of green herbs but with a unique twist. It was as if this lichen had distilled the very essence of the forest into its delicate strands.

As we continued to explore its flavours, more nuances revealed themselves. A delicate mossy character emerged, promising to complement the juniper beautifully. Underneath it all was a faint nuttiness and a clean, almost mineral quality that we knew would provide a crisp, refreshing finish to our gin.

The Gin Revolution Grows a Beard

As gin makers, discoveries like this fuel our passion. Old man's beard isn't just another botanical—it's a gateway to a new frontier of flavor. It challenges us to rethink what gin can be, pushing us to explore the hidden treasures of the natural world around us.

The potential of Old Man's Beard in gin is inspiring. We can already envision how it will interact with our other botanicals, creating a spirit that doesn't just taste good but tells a story – a story of Scottish landscapes, of unexpected discoveries, and of the magic that happens when tradition meets innovation.

This serendipitous find has ignited a spark of creativity that we can't wait to explore further. It represents everything we love about crafting gin – the adventure, the connection with nature, and the thrill of creating something truly unique.

A Call to Adventure

As we sit here, still buzzing from our woodland discovery, we can't help but wonder: Is this the inspiration for the next Wildfire Gin? Could Old Man's Beard be the key to unlocking a new chapter in our gin-making journey?

We're excited to dive deeper into experimenting with this extraordinary botanical. But we're equally excited to hear from you, our passionate gin community. What do you think about the potential of Old Man's Beard in gin? Are you as intrigued by its unique flavour profile as we are?

Let's embark on this adventure together. Share your thoughts, your excitement, your wild ideas. After all, every great gin starts with a spark of inspiration – and we have a feeling that this spark might ignite a Wildfire.